Hope Uzodinma, governor of Imo State, has signed into law the 2024 Imo Appropriation Bill with a remark that the success of the budget would depend mainly on the prudent implementation of all the items contained in the budget document.
This as he had assured that the budget would act, both as a stimulus and catalyst for the growth and development of the state in line with the theme: “Budget of Renewed Economic Growth”.
In a statement made available by Oguwike Nwachuku, chief press secretary to the governor, after a brief ceremony of assenting the N592.2 billion budget into law at the New Exco Chambers Government House Owerri, on Monday, December 18, 2023, the state is set to achieve more developmental strides with the budget.
The governor, in the statement, noted that the budget is unique in the sense that in the history of Imo State there has not been an annual budget with a capital expenditure of over 82 percent, meaning that when implemented, the result will make Imo State the envy of other states.
Uzodinma commended Chike Olemgbe, speaker and members of the Imo State House of Assembly, for the uncommon synergy and for agreeing to his request to give the bill an accelerated hearing that culminated to its passage in law.
This, according to him, meant that the lawmakers understand the importance of development through expenditure proposals.
Uzodinma also congratulated Imo people as the ultimate beneficiaries of the synergy and promised prudent implementation of the budget as contained in the proposal by way of managing the available resources well and channeling them to areas of demand.
He had earlier expressed delight at receiving the speaker and members of the House of Assembly, who brought the budget for assent into law in a record time.
“It is what you get when there is cordial relationship between the legislature and the executive”, he said.
Uzodinma, who promised to sustain the cordial relationship and synergy that exist between the arms of government, also called for all hands to be on deck to raise the revenue proposed in the budget to enable his administration to implement it and to achieve the target.
He also enjoined all to join hands with him to close all revenue leakages in the state, deal with all fraudulent and criminally minded people in the government circle.7
“Government will be ruthless to any public officer or appointee who engages in fraud and corruption in this administration going forward. I will leave no stone unturned in advancing the course of Imo State”, he said.
Presenting the budget to the governor, the speaker said that the appropriation bill brought to them was carefully crafted, which made their job easy, noting that the proposal shows that the governor is determined to give Imo people a renewed growth and development.
He had earlier explained that the 2024 Appropriation Bill passed through all the legislative processes from the day it was presented on December 12, 2023 and thanked his colleagues for their cooperation and support.
